The use of PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers in the synthesis of nano ZnO via the hydrothermal method

Authors:

M. Young, X. Bao

Affilation:

Loughborough University, UK

Pages:

348 - 351

Keywords:

hydrothermal, zinc oxide, PEO-PPO-PEO

Abstract:

This investigation studied the effects of different molecular weight of the blocks in the PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers, the different starting zinc compounds and different hydrothermal parameters on the particle size and morphology of ZnO. The obtained nanoparticles were characterised by XRD and FEGSEM. The results showed clear differences in the morphologies of the ZnO synthesised, with or without addition of the copolymers, also with different copolymers, which can be attributed to the assembly of various microstructures of the copolymers in the aqueous solutions due to their amphiphilic character.